Abstract: A vehicle travels along a road with its lights on because of the conditions outside the vehicle. It has an onboard optical sensor associated with the headlights and arranged to form an image of a zone of the road in front of the vehicle, so that the state of humidity of the road can be determined, and the light output modified accordingly. The zone concerned, on the road, consists of at least one segment oriented in the direction of travel, so that the image created by the optical sensor is a characteristic curve representing the light distribution on the road. This image is compared with a reference curve to determine the state of humidity. The reference curve represents light distribution when the road is dry.

Abstract: A device for automatic correction of the orientation of at least one motor-vehicle headlamp upon variations in the attitude of the motor vehicle includes an emitter projecting, onto the ground in front of the vehicle, two light spots (T1, T2) which are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a sensor of the illumination of the light spots (T1, T2) comprising an objective forming an image (I1, I2) of the light spots (T1, T2) on a receiver and supplying an output signal (dc1, dc2) for each one, processing means suitable for deriving a control signal from the output signal from the sensor, and an actuator controlled by the control signal and able to alter the elevation orientation of a reflector of the headlamp.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, a filament lamp is mounted in a connecting device. A vehicle electrical system has a system or network voltage which is higher than a nominal lamp voltage. The device incorporates a voltage reduction circuit which reduces a voltage from its network value to approximately the nominal lamp voltage, while also retaining the lamp itself and connecting it electrically.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a dual-function lamp device for a motor vehicle, comprising in particular a light source emitting light signals towards an output surface of the lamp in order to produce a light beam, and a filtering means which can move between a passive position and an active position in which it allows passage of only some of the light signals corresponding to non-visible wavelengths, the filtering means being used in association with an intermediate lens for modifying the dispersion of the light beam. The driver thus has a direct illumination and an indirect illumination for obtaining, from a single lamp, two different fields of vision.

Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle, including a framework and at least one shading screen mounted for rotation about a rotational axis with respect to the framework. The rotational axis is inclined with respect to a principal axis of illumination of the headlamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the supply to a discharge lamp of a motor vehicle headlight, wherein during the phase of starting up the discharge lamp, the strength of the current supplied to the lamp is controlled on the basis of a parameter representative of the environment of the vehicle so as to optimize the life of the discharge lamp. The invention also relates to a device for managing the supply to a discharge lamp.

Abstract: A vehicle has an eye level display for displaying information to the driver by means of images projected on to the windshield and reflected off it. The eye level display system includes means for correcting the image projected, in order substantially to eliminate multiple images. The projected image is corrected essentially by producing a corrected image, in the form of a digital matrix, before it is projected on the windshield by the projector. In one embodiment, the corrective processing step comprises inverting the matrix characteristic of the multiplication caused by the windshield. In another embodiment, it consists in producing a corrected image adaptively by minimising an error function below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention proposes a headlamp comprising a light source, a reflector of the elliptical type, and a converging lens, of the type in which a first mask is mounted for pivoting about a substantially transverse axis and includes a cut-off edge which, in the shading position, delimits a cut-off profile of the light beam given off by the source with a view to carrying out a first lighting function, a second mask being mounted for pivoting about a substantially transverse axis, and each of the two masks being able to be controlled and used independently in such a way that, depending on their relative position, at least three distinct lighting functions are carried out. According to the invention, each mask is in the shape of a plate, more particularly a rectangular plate, including two substantially transverse and horizontal edges, and the pivot axis of each mask is along one of its transverse edges.

Abstract: A vehicle travels along a road with its lights on because of the conditions outside the vehicle. It has an onboard optical sensor associated with the headlights and arranged to form an image of a zone of the road in front of the vehicle, so that the state of humidity of the road can be determined, and the light output modified accordingly. The zone concerned, on the road, consists of at least one segment oriented in the direction of travel, so that the image created by the optical sensor is a characteristic curve representing the light distribution on the road. This image is compared with a reference curve to determine the state of humidity. The reference curve represents light distribution when the road is dry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the supply to a discharge lamp (12) of a motor vehicle headlight, characterized in that, during the phase of starting up the discharge lamp (12), the strength of the current supplied to the lamp (12) is controlled on the basis of a parameter representative of the environment of the vehicle so as to optimize the life of the discharge lamp (12).

Abstract: Power-supply device for 12-volt electrical components which are installed in a motor vehicle, in particular for components of the lighting or indicator system, from an electrical-energy source (E2) the voltage of which is higher than the rated voltage of 12 volts of the components, which are usually protected by a normal protection network when they are powered by a source at their rated voltage. The device includes elements (D1, C, Dz) which are identical or similar to those of a normal protection network placed at the head end of the 12 volt input of an electrical component (1), which are combined with a minimum number of additional active components (T) so as to produce a basic regulated power supply at 12 volts, which further ensures protection of the electrical component (1) which is equivalent to that of the normal protection network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for automatic correction of the orientation of at least one motor-vehicle (V) headlamp (P) upon variations in the attitude of the motor vehicle (V), including

Abstract: The invention relates to a headlamp for a vehicle, including a framework and at least one shading screen mounted for rotation about a rotational axis with respect to the framework. The rotational axis is inclined with respect to a principal axis of illumination of the headlamp.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight comprises a light source mounted in a reflector and a glass. The reflector is mounted to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and displacement means are provided to vary the angular position of the reflector. According to the invention, the reflector is capable of occupying at least one first angular position in which the beam emitted thereby passes through a first glass to generate a first type of beam, and a second angular position which is fixed and different form the first angular position(s), and in which the beam passes through a second glass; the headlight also has optical means for generating through said second glass a fixed beam which has photometric characteristics different from those of the beam passing through the first glass. Application in particular to two-function headlights for providing both a cornering light beam and a fog light beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for signalling the deceleration of a motor vehicle. It comprises a signal lamp having an illuminating area divided into luminous sections, each equipped with its own light source, and means for controlling the lighting of a number of light sources which increases with the deceleration of the vehicle. The luminous intensity of the illuminating area remains substantially constant whatever the number of lighting sections lit. This constant intensity can be obtained by supplying the light sources with substantially constant power. The means for controlling the lighting of the light sources comprise a deceleration sensor and connection means which selectively link the light sources to an electrical-energy source as a function of an output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle electrical system has at least one apparatus for regulating the power supply voltage of an electrical load which has a nominal or rated supply voltage. The regulating apparatus is supplied by a variable value unidirectional voltage source. The apparatus includes an oscillator for generating a rectangular control signal having a cyclic ratio which varies with the value of the unidirectional voltage when the latter is above a given threshold value. The apparatus also includes an interrupter controlled by the control signal and connected in series with the load across the voltage source. Each voltage regulating apparatus further includes an inductance connected in series with the load, and a component with unidirectional conduction in parallel with the series connected load and inductance.

Abstract: A multi-function headlamp, in particular for a motor vehicle, is arranged to improve the illumination of road signs and other external objects. It includes an occulting means for defining a cut-off line for a beam such as a dipped beam or fog penetrating beam, lamp means of the kind that emits both visible light and ultra violet radiation simultaneously, and a front closure glass of a material which is at least partially transparent to ultra violet radiation. The occulting means is also opaque to visible light radiation and at least partially transparent to ultra violet radiation, and the occulting means is mounted for displacement between an occulting position, in which it intercepts all visible radiation directed above the cut-off line, and a retracted position in which it has substantially no effect on the transmission of visible light radiation.

Abstract: A high tension lamp and connector assembly, in particular for motor vehicle lighting, the lamp and the connector including at least two electrically conductive and complementary connection elements for feeding the lamp. A conducting member is provided in a region of the connector which is not immediately accessible, the conducting member serving in the absence of external thrust to establish mutual electrical contact between the the connection elements of the connector, thereby short-circuiting the connection elements. The lamp bears at least one actuator element which, when the lamp is correctly installed in the connector, urges the conductive member in such a manner as to cause it to break the electrical contact between the connection elements of the connector. The invention is applicable to improving safety while handling arc lamps for headlights.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for an arc lamp, in particular for a motor vehicle headlight, the power supply circuit being wherein it comprises: means for converting electricity from a low voltage DC supply such as a vehicle battery into an alternating voltage of amplitude which is variable as a function of the state of the lamp; and a voltage-raising transformer, the variable alternating voltage being applied to the primary winding of the transformer and the lamp being connected to the terminals of the secondary winding of the transformer, either directly or else by means of non-inductive components.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight of the type comprising a single light source, a reflector including two zones suitable for generating two different respective light beams, a closure glass, and masking means situated in the vicinity of the source and capable of being displaced for selectively masking the light rays delivered by the source and propagating towards at least one of the two zones. According to the invention the two zones of the reflector are disposed side by side, each of them extending over the entire height of the reflector, each zone of the reflector is constituted by a portion of a reflecting surface sufficing on its own to generate the associated beam, and the masking means comprise at least one screen which, in its masking position, is situated to one side of the source.